Many residents of Atlanta have turned to home security systems to protect themselves but according to “master thief” turned consultant Walter Shaw, they may not be getting the most benefit out of the systems they use. Shaw calls on his real life experience as a burglar to give homeowners thesehome safety tipsto improve the security of their homes and make thieves think twice before attempting to break in.

Make Sure Your Home Security Signs Are Visible
Shaw says that a thief’s favorite entry point is the back door. It’s out of the line of sight and a large number of homeowners in Atlanta have arcadia and sliding glass doors, which tend to have flimsy locks. Posting a home security sign in the backyard makes thieves think twice before attempting to get into your home.

Bolster Your Backyard
Since backyards are the favorite entry point of criminals, it’s important to bolster the security in this area. Adding a supplemental key lock to sliding or French doors boosts the security of the door.
If you’ve got a fence, make sure the gate is securely locked at all times. Also, don’t leave tools and lawn equipment out in the backyard. Lock away these items in a shed or garage to keep them secure.
Perhaps the most overlooked security issue in backyards is overgrown trees and hedges. Trim these up so that your backyard is more visible, giving thieves little place to hide.

Make Sure To Arm Your Security System
Turning your system on seems like a no-brainer, but homeowners will often leave their security systems off during the day. According to Shaw, daylight does not deter burglars. In fact, daylight theft occurs often since most homeowners are not home at that time. Arm your security system even if you’re only stepping out for a few minutes. It only takes that amount of time for a master thief to break in.

Consider Adding Video Surveillance
Thieves who break into homes rarely wear a mask. They want to appear as inconspicuous as possible. And since they want to get in and out quickly, most will not want to have to stop and disarm a video surveillance system. Adding one to your home security helps to deter criminals who don’t want to risk being caught on tape.

In a large city like Atlanta,safety in the homeis paramount. Get the most out of your home security system by being vigilant and taking these extra steps to keep your home free from criminals.

Home security doesn’t stop at keeping your home safe from intruders. It includes keeping it safe from dangers such as carbon monoxide or other safety concerns. Find out all you need to know about carbon monoxide, as well as practical tips to keep your Atlanta home safe during the winter months.

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide, also known as CO, is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that is found in fumes from burning fuel. Fireplaces, heaters that use kerosene, grills, stoves, gas ranges, small engines, generators and other fuel-burning devices all give off carbon monoxide. When used indoors, carbon monoxide can accumulate and reach dangerous, even fatal, levels when breathed in. Caution is necessary when using such items during cold spells, and using grills inside is never recommended. According to the CDC, 400 American deaths are due to carbon monoxide poisoning each year.What is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Carbon Monoxide poisoning occurs when a person has breathed in too much carbon monoxide. This kind of poisoning occurs when the amount of carbon monoxide begins to replace the amount of oxygen in a person’s brain. Symptoms include flu-like issues, headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, vomiting and chest pain. Because it is impossible for humans to detect carbon monoxide, it is possible to breath in amounts that may cause a person to pass out or die. It is not unusual for people who are sleeping or intoxicated to die before they even experience symptoms.

Steps You Can Take to Protect Your Home from the Dangers of Carbon Monoxide

Safety at home, begins with taking charge. Fortunately for homeowners, there are several simple steps you can incorporate into your home security routine to help protect your Atlanta home against carbon monoxide poisoning.

Invest in Carbon Monoxide Detectors There are several carbon monoxide detectors on the market, including electronic, battery-operated, smoke and carbon monoxide combination and ones that plug into a wall outlet. Consider placing detectors in or near your bedroom so that the alarm will wake you in an emergency. Detectors are also a great home safety tip, for senior citizens.

Clean Your Fireplace and Chimney Each Year When not in use, debris such as birds nests, leaves, soot and other dirt can build up in your chimney. This can cause carbon monoxide to build up in your home when you light the first fire of the year. Have a professional clean out your chimney to prevent this from happening.

Do Not Use Grills Indoors It may seem like a good idea to use your grill inside when the power is out and snow is coating the ground, but it’s one of the most cited causes of carbon monoxide poisoning. Avoid using ANY kind of grill indoors, for cooking or heating. Period.

Do Not Use a Gas-top Range Oven for Heating If you have a gas-top stove, do not use it to heat your home, as this will only cause carbon monoxide to build up inside.

Operate Generators Outdoors Do not operate a generator indoors, such as in a garage. This will cause carbon monoxide to build up inside and lead to rising carbon monoxide levels.

The most recent data from the Georgia Crime Information Center has reported that burglary makes up over twenty percent of all reported crimes in our state. Astonishingly, nearly seventy-five percent of reported metropolitan burglaries have taken place in the city of Atlanta. It is important that residents of Atlanta, be proactive in preventing their homes and families becoming another statistic. Many stories about burglars involve the use of weapons. It is important that you know the basics of protecting your home and family.

Never Sell Advertised Items From Your Home

Many of us have used various online forums to sell things to earn some quick cash. Criminals use this opportunity to target their victims home. Anytime you decide to sell something, never give out your address to strangers, always arrange meetings in a public location. Parking lots in busy shopping centers or your local police department are considered ideal meeting places. Ideally, attempt to arrange the meeting during daylight hours, during normal business hours. In the event you need to meet someone after hours, designate a meeting spot in a well lit area- like the parking lot of a twenty four hour fast food restaurant.

Properly Prepare For Vacations

Many burglaries occur when a family is away on vacation. You can protect your home while you are away by asking a trusted friend, family member or neighbor to look after the house while you are away. Ask them to turn on some lights after sundown, it is important to alternate which rooms have lights on to show activity in the home. If you have mail or any other items delivered while you are away, ask them to place them in a designated spot in the house. If you are going to be gone for an extended period, it would be wise to schedule lawn maintenance to maintain the appearance of upkeep. Finally, if you have designated a neighbor to be in charge while you are away, ask them to park their car in your driveway occasionally.

Never Try To Be A Superhero

If you happen to be confronted with a burglar, never try to be the hero. As tempting as it may be to stop the crime from taking place, your life and well being is more important than anything you own. Incidents can escalate when burglars caught in the act. It is important to protect yourself and others. It is best to call 911 for assistance, when you can safely do so.

Consult A Home Security ExpertConsulting with a home security expert is one of the most proactive decisions you could make. There are various levels of security measures that can be taken, that fit in any budget. Many people are surprised at how much technology has been integrated into home security, making it easier to customize to your specific needs. Many people believe they can not afford home security until they consult with a professional. After a consultation, they often realize that it is a small investment for a big return in “peace of mind.”

This shockingly comprehensive list of tips will help ensure your family’s safety for years to come!

Pick a Room to explore:

BedroomKitchenBathroomLiving RoomGarage & Yard

Bedroom Electrical Safety

The bedroom is your ultimate relaxation destination, so don’t add any unwanted stressors by sleeping around with electrical hazards!

The misuse or poor maintenance of electrical devices in the bedroom can lead to fire and serious injury. In fact, it’s been reported that over 600 people die each year from fires that began in this room of the house.

The area around space heaters should be kept free of debris and household clutter. Never leave your heater unattended. About 50,000 bedroom fires caused by space heaters are reported each year!

Clean all bedroom convector and fan heaters from time to time with a vacuum.

Kitchen Electrical Safety

Food brings us together, so naturally we tend to gather in the kitchen for good times with family and friends. But it’s easy to overlook common
electrical hazards as we cook, converse, and prepare meals.

Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injury: each year, about 162,400 US homes report fires that were a result of unattended cooking equipment.

It’s clear that we should all be on our best behavior when using electricity in this part of the house – after all, who wants to associate delicious food with dangerous flames?

Top 5 Kitchen Safety Tips

Never leave your electrical appliances running unattended. Unwatched pots and other cooking equipment account for approximately 34 percent of all kitchen fires.

Never leave kitchen towels, oven mitts, or napkins near your stove or oven. About22 percent of home cooking equipment deaths are caused by having a heat source too close to combustible household items.

Bathroom Electrical Safety Tips

Here’s a pop quiz: do you know what the most dangerous room in your house is? Would you be surprised to learn that it’s actually your bathroom?

That’s right – according to the New York Times, more than 235,000 people over the age of 15 wind up in the emergency room every year because of injuries suffered in the bathroom!

One of the main reasons the bathroom can be a danger zone is the presence of so much water combined with appliances and electrical outlets – water changes your body’s resistance to electricity, and not in a good way!

Staying safe in the bathroom takes extra care, but we’ve got all the tips and ideas you need.

Top 5 Bathroom Electrical Safety Tips

Use slip-resistant bathroom mats around the bathtub and sink – one false move can plunge an active electrical item into the water.

Make sure all bathroom plugs are GFCI-protected and controlled by dedicated 20 amp circuits. Test every GFCI once a month.

Everyday light switches can be dangerous with wet hands. A ceiling-mounted pull cord is the ideal way to control bathroom lighting.

Install grab bars around the bathtub and shower area, especially if older loved ones or children live in the home.

Use a small nightlight to illuminate the way in your bathroom at night.

Keep a smoke alarm near your bathroom in case of fire emergency.

Living Room Electrical Safety

The living room is where we spend the most time as a family and where a good amount of larger electronics are placed, like your home entertainment system. About a quarter of home fire deaths are caused by fires in the living room – don’t underestimate the power of electronics! If they fail or malfunction, they can be a serious danger and catch fire before you know it.

Don’t risk losing your family gathering place and keep reading to learn how to protect your loved ones and living room!

Top 5 Living Room Safety Tips

The wattage on your electrical equipment should never exceed the maximum listed on your extension cords and power strips.

Approximately 89 percent of all injuries caused by electrical outlets are to children under the age of six. Use childproof covers on outlets that prevent hairpins and other small objects from being inserted. Since 2008, the National Electrical Code has required that new residences be equipped with tamper-resistant (TR) receptacles.

Place a fireplace screen in front of the fireplace to protect the room from sparks and ashes.

Get into the habit of turning off all electric appliances before you leave the room.

Test and replace smoke detector batteries once every six months, or consider switching to a new model smoke detector with a lithium-ion power source lasting 10 years.

20 More Living Room Safety Tips

Before lighting the first fire of the year, sweep your chimney and inspect your chimney breast.

Plug only one high-wattage electrical appliance into each outlet at a time.

Use surge protection devices to protect televisions and other electronics from damage.

The wattage on your electrical equipment should never exceed the maximum listed on your extension cords and power strips.

Don’t try lengthen one extension cord by connecting it with another extension cord, and never use extension cords as permanent wiring.

Don’t plug more than three sets of lights into one extension cord.

Don’t run electrical cords under rugs or across open spaces where they are easily underfoot.

Place furniture in front of electrical outlets to keep them out of sight from curious children.

Keep all lighters and matches away from children.

Tuck loose electrical cords against a baseboard using cord covers so children can’t pull or play with them.

Allow sufficient air space around all electronic items so they do not overheat. Let them “breathe.”

Get into the habit of turning off all electric appliances before you leave the room.

Repair frayed or damaged electrical cords or send them to the dumpster.

If a light bulb has blown, wait for the bulb to cool and ensure the light is off before changing it for a correctly-sized new one.

To avoid counterfeit and therefore potentially dangerous electrical products, only purchase items with the seal of a nationally-recognized testing laboratory from a reputable retailer.

Make sure all outlets have faceplates secured and are cool to the touch. Warm or hot outlets may indicate faulty wiring and call for immediate inspection.

Portable heating appliances should stand where they can’t be knocked over, away from furniture and fabrics.

Never move a portable heater when it’s turned on, always wait until it’s had time to cool.

Make sure to allow for a small amount of “phantom” wattage for each device plugged in. Many electrical items use power even when turned off – In fact, the average cell phone chargeris consuming .26 wattsof energy when not in use.

Know how to access your fuse box quickly so you can turn it off right away in case of an emergency.

Garage and Yard Electrical Safety Tips

Electrical malfunction is the number one cause of garage fires. All electrical wiring, plugs, etc. should comply with electrical safety standards and follow basic home safety precautions.

Fires in the garage typically spread farther and cause more injuries and dollar loss than fires that start anywhere else in the home. Every year, there are 6,600 garage fires in homes that result in an average of 30 deaths, 400 injuries and $457 million in property loss.

Garages are traditionally used for storing combustible materials, tools, and electrical equipment – a simple spark here can lead to a house explosion if you aren’t careful! Look out for any volatile materials that pose a possible electrical risk.

Top 5 Garage and Yard Safety Tips

Ensure all cords are mounted in a way that protects their insulation. Do not allow cords to get pinched in doors or windows.

Assault crimes have been reported throughout the month of April here in Atlanta – always take your personal safety seriously and stay alert when walking alone or at night! Warmer weather tempts criminals and increases the likelihood of local violence. Don’t let yourself or your family become a statistic this spring!